You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Support for Essential Connections Portal.
Support Session will be available over the next 3 Wednesdays to assist Level 2 ASPs and Electrical Contactors with questions relating to the utilisation of the Essential Connections Portal. Sessions are 1 hour long – drop in anytime during this time. You can just ask a quick question or stay as long as you choose.
Click the ‘Register here’ link for the session that suits you. Tip! Save into your calendar or note down the joining details (Meeting ID and passcode).
What do you need to do?
- Ensure you are registered to attend the support sessions.
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Background
Essential Energy recently received the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) Final Distribution Determination for Ancillary Network Services covering the 2024-29 Regulatory Control Period (RCP). This determination regulates the pricing structure for Essential Energy to provide services to external customers.
What does this mean for you?
From 1 July 2024, Essential Energy will implement approved Ancillary Network Services as per the AER’s determination.
To help you understand any changes in services and charges, we will be developing supporting information and guidelines for ASPs shortly. These documents will be located on Essential Energy’s Document Library and we will communicate when they are available.
Please note, however, that throughout the 2024-29 RCP, Essential Energy may introduce several new regulatory services in targeted areas, based on external feedback, statutory changes and to better reflect the way services are provided.
Additionally, implementation of the AER’s determination by Essential Energy from 1 July 2024 will incur CPI and other cost increases each year until 30 June 2029. ASPs should review service and price changes when preparing quotations for future work.
Where is information about the changes available?
What do you need to do?
Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
What is happening?
In September 2023 Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) started to transition from physical identification cards to Digital IDs. This communication is to provide clarification on what to do when you change mobile phones.
The Digital ID will not move across to a different mobile phone and your ID credentials will need to be re-issued for the new phone. To action this, please email Essential Energy security, eesecurity@essentialenergy.com.au to let them know you are changing devices and ask for your credentials to be re-issued. Once you receive the new credentials please follow the original instructions.
What do you need to do?
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
- Contact Essential Energy security, eesecurity@essentialenergy.com.au, when you change mobile phones.
Further Information
If you need further information, please email Essential Energy Security at eesecurity@essentialenergy.com.au.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
IMPORTANT: Essential Energy have updated our Bush Fire Priority Ratings
Over the past 12 months, Essential Energy has updated their Bushfire Priority Ratings (BPR). The modelling used to determine the ratings has been improved through the energy networks Australia project IGNIS. This was a joint collaboration between several utilities and the University of Melbourne. For more information relation to the bushfire modelling change please click here.
What this means is that many areas that were a Priority 1 have changed and other areas in the state have been updated to Priority 1.
The map below shows the changes.
We store these BPRs in our GIS system. The GIS data has now been updated and pole reports and information in your Design Information Packs will now have the new BPR - P1 to P4.
Remember that P1 areas require specific design parameters for circuit clearance. Refer to CEOM7097 – Overhead Design Manual, Clause 3-4-4-4 Special requirements for bushfire risk areas.
NEARA GIS parameters
Designers would be aware that NEARA has GIS information when you select a pole.
Please note unfortunately, due to technical reasons, these BPR changes are not yet reflected within the GIS shown in Neara against each pole. Until the network model in Neara is updated, you will need to refer to the “Additional Properties” panel against each pole selected.
See the screenshots below for help in finding this data.
Please update your inflight designs from the master file to view the updated bushfire risk priority in the additional properties panel for each pole.
The links below will assist you in updating your design from the master file.
All of Essential Energy’s how-to guides and training videos are available on Essential Energy’s Digital Asset Management page at the link below.
What do you need to do?
- Review the above information and check the design information for latest Bushfire Priority Ratings.
- When in NEARA, please refer to the BPR noted in the Additional Properties Panel.
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
What is Happening?
The Essential Energy ASP Forum (zoom) was held on 1 May 2024. The links to supporting material are listed below.
What do you need to do?
-
Review the slide deck and watch the recording of the ASP Forum May 2024
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
What is Happening?
Essential Energy would like to remind all Authorised Service Providers (ASPs) of the importance of adhering to CEOP8030 - Electrical Safety Rules, particularly section 4.4.2 Personal Protective Equipment. This section mandates the use of an arc-rated face shield during the making or breaking of underground service connections, a critical safety measure to protect against the dangers of arc flash incidents. Compliance with these rules is not only a legal obligation but also a fundamental aspect of workplace safety, ensuring that all personnel are adequately protected during potentially hazardous operations. It is imperative for all ASPs to familiarise themselves with these requirements and integrate them into their daily safety protocols.
What do you need to do?
Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Please be advised that maintenance will occur on Tuesday 30 April 2024 4pm to 5pm. During this time Secure Web Forms (SWF) will be unavailable.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.
What do you need to do?
Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
What is Happening?
Essential Energy’s Biannual ASP engagement forum will be held on 1 May 2024 via Zoom. In this round, we’ll be covering a range of topics including:
- Safety
- Overhead Standards Essential Connections Portal, including the Construction rollout
- Details of surveyor’s advice, asset location survey plan
- Network Assurance update, including Level 1 ASP aged defects and Level 2 ASP process assessments
- Contestable Network Solutions, contestable projects which include working with neighbours and the planning report
- Ancillary Network Service fees
- Dedicated question time.
We encourage you to participate in this forum. You’ll have the opportunity to discuss our plans and initiatives, and to ask questions or raise issues with Essential Energy team members.
Registration
The forum will be held on Wednesday 1 May 2024 from 10.00am to 12.00 noon – please click here to register.
What do you need to do?
Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
What is Happening?
We’ve uploaded a recording of the Essential Connections information and help session held on the 3 April 2024 to Essential Engagement for those of you who weren’t able to attend.
To access the recording, click here to view now, or go to Essential Engagement and click on the Essential Connections on the right-hand side.
What do you need to do?
Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Support for Essential Connections Portal.
Support Session will be available over the next 3 Wednesdays to assist Level 2 ASPs and Electrical Contactors with questions relating to the utilisation of the Portal. Sessions are 1 hour long – drop in anytime during this time. You can just ask a quick question or stay as long as you choose.
Click the ‘Register here’ link for the session that suits you. Tip! Save into your calendar or note down the joining details (Meeting ID and passcode).
What do you need to do?
- Ensure you are registered to attend the support sessions.
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
